In India, Children’s Day or Bal Diwas is annually celebrated on 14th November, the birth anniversary of India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. He was born on 14 November 1889 in Allahabad, British India.
The day also recognises Jawaharlal Nehru’s efforts and works for the welfare, education and development of children and young people.
- The Children’s Day 2021 marks the 132nd birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru who is fondly known as “Chacha Nehru”.
Background:
i.Since 1954, the United Nations(UN) has been observing the 20th November of every year as World Children’s Day also known as Universal Children’s Day.
ii.In 1964, following the death of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the Parliament of India passed the resolution to observe the birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru, 14th November as Children’s day in India.
About Jawaharlal Nehru:
i.Jawaharlal Nehru served as the leader of the left-wing faction of the Indian National Congress(INC) during the 1920s, and later with the support of Mahatma Gandhi, he became the president of the entire Congress.
ii.After the Independence on 15th August 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru took charge as India’s first Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister.
iii.He has also played a major role in the development of world-class educational institutions like the All India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIMS), the Indian Institutes of Technology(IIT), and the Indian Institutes of Management(IIM).
iv.The government of India has honoured him with India’s highest civilian honour ‘Bharat Ratna’ in 1955.
Books:
i.He has authored several books which include,
- The Discovery of India
- Glimpses of World History
- Toward Freedom (his autobiography).
ii.A collection of 30 letters written by Nehru to his daughter Indira Gandhi was published as a book titled “Letters from a Father to His Daughter”.
WCD week-long activities: 14th to 21st November 2021
As a part of the Children’s Day 2021, Under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Ministry of Women & Child Development(WCD) is organising week-long activities and events from 14th to 21st November 2021.
- The events are in line with the Ministry’s vision – holistic development of women and children.
- The activities are organised on the theme of “Children Ideas, Rights & Nutrition”
Objective:
To create awareness about child rights and stimulate the collective thought process of the community at large in this direction.
Highlight:
The activities include outreach activities in Child Care Institutions (CCIs) and Specialised Adoption Agencies, Adoption awareness programs, seminars/webinars on legal awareness, child and adolescent health, child rights.
Events:
Films Division has partnered with the Children’s Film Society, India (CFSI) and organised an online screening of a special package of films on the occasion of Children’s Day 2021.